Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo was brutally assaulted and an attempt was made to abduct him inside his office chamber during a public grievance redressal meeting on Monday. The shocking incident, which occurred around 11:30 AM, has sparked outrage among civic officials and led to widespread protests, disrupting traffic in the state capital.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Kharvel Nagar Police Station by Shri Sahoo, a group of six to seven unidentified, “heavily built” individuals forcefully entered the BMC headquarters while he was presiding over the public hearing.
The assailants confronted Shri Sahoo about a prior telephonic conversation he had with one Jagannath Pradhan. Upon Shri Sahoo’s confirmation of the call, the group allegedly launched an unprovoked and brutal physical assault.
Eyewitnesses and circulating video footage depict the attackers punching, kicking, and manhandling Shri Sahoo, even dragging him out of his office chamber. The complaint further states that the assailants attempted to forcibly abduct him, trying to drag him into a waiting vehicle while demanding he apologize to Shri Pradhan.
The intervention of vigilant BMC staff and other officers present at the scene prevented the abduction. In a further act of aggression, the attackers allegedly snatched Shri Sahoo’s mobile phone and uploaded objectionable content to his WhatsApp status.
Following the incident, Shri Sahoo sustained serious physical injuries and reported significant mental trauma. Kharvel Nagar Police have swiftly responded, arresting three individuals identified as Jeevan Rout (Corporator of Ward No. 29), Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan, in connection with the assault.
Investigations are ongoing, with police reviewing CCTV footage to identify any other individuals involved and ascertain the exact motive behind the attack.
The brazen assault on a senior civic official on duty has drawn strong condemnation. BMC employees immediately staged a massive dharna (sit-in protest) at the office premises, ceasing all work and demanding immediate and stringent action against the culprits, along with enhanced security measures for government staff.
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das also condemned the incident, emphasizing the need for swift justice. The protests led to significant traffic disruption on Janpath, a major thoroughfare in Bhubaneswar, as employees blocked the road to voice their demands.
While the precise motive remains under investigation, some reports suggest the assailants may be affiliated with a political party. BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has condemned the incident and stated his willingness to cooperate with the police, having identified two individuals from the video footage. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of public servants and the sanctity of government offices, prompting calls for a thorough probe and measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.